More upgrades to Stettler’s path network are on course.
At its regular meeting last week, Town of Stettler council approved a staff recommendation to further upgrade pathways with asphalt at an overall cost of $100,000 as part of the annual budget of $100,000.
“The plans for this year’s construction include continuation of the pathway form the health unit, removing the deteriorating sidewalk on the hospital grounds, placing a new asphalt pathway in its location and continuation of the pathway to the intersection at Highway 12 and 56, estimated at $60,000.” said Melissa Robbins, the town’s director of operational services.
Council also supported staff’s second option for upgrades at West Stettler Park, with new overlay estimated at $40,000, rather than construct a bridge crossing under the railway track south of Sobeys.
“Clearly, this area at West Stettler Park is well-used and the pathways need some attention,” Coun. Malcolm Fischer said with the support of council.
“The other option doesn’t connect anywhere and this does,” added Mayor Dick Richards.
Current pathways on the east half of the park are in need of an overlay and repair.
“Work would continue from the north pathway that was paved last year up to the bridge by the spray park,” Robbins said.
“This does not include the section of pathway on the south side of the fish ponds.”
At the same time, heaves in the pathways caused by tree roots will be eliminated, said Lee Penner, the director of parks and leisure services.
Under the first option estimated at $40,000, staff planned to install a pedestrian crossing under the railway tracks to allow pedestrians to get from the Sobeys parking lot to reach gravel path at Cold Lake.
Robbins noted that section of pathway would likely be used only as a seasonal path, as the tractor does not fit under the structure, though those paths would have to be constructed later.
— Richard Froese